Symptoms of ILD

The most common symptoms of ILD are shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, cough and fatigue. Many people describe dyspnea as a feeling of breathlessness.

Most frequently, shortness of breath appears slowly, not abruptly. Usually, shortness of breath is first noticed during exertion or with strenuous activity. For example, early on, a person with ILD may notice shortness of breath only when running or exercising. Later in the course of ILD, he or she may notice shortness of breath when casually walking across the street or walking from room to room indoors.

Cough due to ILD is typically a dry and hacking cough. 

Fatigue or low energy also is very common in people with ILD. People with systemic autoimmune or connective tissue disease as a cause of their ILD may have muscle or joint aches, rash and other non-respiratory symptoms.